It is not unusual for a parent to have successfully started and grown a business, only to find that his children either have no interest in continuing the business or are incapable of doing so.  Prior to that moment of realization, however, Parent may have transferred equity in the business to his children, either as

Historically, the gift and estate tax laws have limited the ability of wealthy individuals to transfer their interests in family businesses to their children without suffering potentially severe tax consequences.  However,  many wealthy taxpayers are interested in shifting the appreciation in their business out of their estate and into the hands of their children.

Transfers